Iran says diplomats held in Israel

BEIRUT, Lebanon (Reuters) -- Iran said Tuesday it had proof that Israel was holding four Iranian diplomats abducted during its 1982 invasion of Lebanon.

The diplomats are believed to have been seized by pro-Israeli Christian militiamen in Beirut in 1982 when Israeli forces surrounded the capital. Israel and Christian militias have said the four are dead.

"We can now say for certain that they are in the Zionist entity," the Iranian Embassy in Beirut said in a statement issued to mark the 19th anniversary of their disappearance.

It cited human rights advocates and former prisoners who say they have seen the four in Israeli jails.

Iran said earlier this year it was seeking the help of Hezbollah, whose guerrillas were the main force in driving Israel from south Lebanon last year after a 22-year occupation, to learn about the fate of the four.

Hezbollah has held German-mediated talks with Israel over a plan to trade four Israelis it snatched last year for all Lebanese and other Arab prisoners held by Israel.

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